Drugstore makeup recs?

Elly

My SO's stepmom gave me a gift card to a drugstore in a fairly high amount, thinking that I could use the balance to buy toiletries.

Right about the same time my SO expressed interest in me wearing makeup. Other than foundation and concealer, I haven't purchased new makeup for several years and feel a bit out of practice. Plus, I just don't know what is good anymore, since the companies have discontinued the lipstick I used to wear on occasion, the lash tint, the mascara, and my blush. I also have changed my idea of what suits me a bit, and don't have anything to do a really natural but actually made up look, or a dramatic look, everything seems muddy.

I would love recs for great drug store products, and wouldn't mind hearing about your department store faves either, since I am about ready to replace my foundation, ect as well and will be near the shops in Feb.

13 years ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from stitchywitch

Anonymous

I'm in the UK, but have googled 'US drugstore brands' to see if some match the UK drugstores.

Rimmel, Revlon and L 'Oreal are good.

I love the Rimmel nail polishes and Revlon make good lipsticks.

13 years ago

Irene

Veteran

I have become a fan of two products:

Bare Minerals Original Foundation: easy to apply, extremely natural and good for my very sensitive skin.

Urban Decay Cannonball Waterproof Mascara: I can't do regular mascara because I touch my eyes a lot and they get wet and it all becomes a mess. But most waterproof mascaras (well, the cheap ones I have tried) dry the lashes a lot and feel a bit weird. Not this one. This one feels quite flexible and looks good!

I have yet to find a good eyeliner (it seems I'm allergic to Clinique) and maybe a better blush, concelaer and lipstic, but first I want to finish with what I own.

13 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I second the Revlon and L' Oreal recommendation. I like Revlon's creme blush and L' Oreal's lipsticks and eyeshadows. Cover Girl has an eyeliner I really like - liquiline blast - it's really creamy and doesn't tug at the skin going on. Cover Girl also makes a mascara I love - I don't like waterproof mascara as a rule because it's so hard to get off but they have a wash off waterproof formula called Professional Remarkable mascara - it is sometimes hard to find, comes in a magenta colored tube.

13 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I've had good luck with the L'Oreal Youth Code BB Cream (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/brows.....rod4480175) There are like 91 reviews at the link, so they will do a better job at describing it than me!

I also use Physicians Formula ... this is a fun kit to get started with, if you're into minerals (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/brows.....20cat80108)

And I'm in love with these eye shadows! (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/brows.....20cat80042)

13 years ago

kimlee

Veteran

Elly, you may want to check out these blog: http://beautybroadcast.net. The blogger has a lot of reviews on drugstore makeup as well as tutorials. She also has a Youtube chanel. While I don't use drugstore makeup - I did find her tutorials helpful for changing up my application techniques.

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I don't know if you need waterproof mascara (I do, since having basically no lower lashes means that the mascara on my upper lashes touches my face every time I blink) but my go-to mascara is Maybelline lash discovery (there is a non-waterproof version too, I think). It is super waterproof and durable, and it has a very fine brush that is really good, at least for my lashes. (With a larger brush, I end up sticking it in my eye or getting mascara all over my eyelid)

13 years ago

Anonymous

If you want something with a pop, go for L'Oreal HIP (High Intensity Pigments). They liken themselves to MAC brand. I recommend their pencil eyeliners for any occasion,.

For more everday, you can't go wrong with Maybeline mascaras.

I personally pay extra for bases (I buy Urban Decay eyeshadow and foundation base) and then you can get less expensive eyeshadow and it really pops and stays put.

I am obsessed with mascara and usually buy the two ended kind, with the base and the actual mascara seperate.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Do you have a Sephora nearby? They do lovely tutorials in store and you can get the mid range products at a decent price.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I just made a run to Walgreens with my friend who is a make-up artist. I told her I wanted a neutral lip color that wasn't too beige. She told me that Wet n Wild makes a super lip pencil for that purpose. At first I was reluctant, but she said I should lightly color my whole lip with it, not "line" my lips. It's called Brandywine #666 (!) and it was only 99 cents. I love it. While we were there we found that Wet n Wild now has a knock off of Burt's Bee's Lip Shimmer, complete with peppermint oil called Natural Blend lip shimmer. I chose shade #104, which is a sheer natural looking pink to go over the pencil, which is a bit drying, like a lip stain. I can't remember exactly, but it was about half the price of the Burt's Bees product, a couple of bucks maybe.

As a side note, many drug stores (Walgreens and CVS for sure) have a money back guarantee on their make-up products, so you can take them home and try them and return them if they don't work out. Have fun with your gift card!

13 years ago

stitchywitch

(website)

Active Member

For foundation I use either Bare Minerals powder or MAC Studiofix liquid, depending on the season. Neither are too terribly expensive. I'm pale, and I can't find drugstore foundation that works for me. Everything is dark and orange.

I like Revlon's Just Bitten lipstains and pencils - they aren't too dark, and they last ages on me. I use drugstore mascara (Maybelline lash architect) and I also quite like the WnW pencil mentioned above. If your drugstore carries NYX products, they have great eyeshadows.

13 years ago

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